Description
Marmaris
Marmaris is one of Turkey's most popular resorts, which attracts lots of British holidaymakers, many of whom return year after year. It is a favourite with families and young couples alike. It is in a stunning setting, its geography remarkably similar to that of the fjords, with pine-clad hills dropping steeply to the sea, jagged inlets and tiny rocky islets off the coast.
There is a wide choice of accommodation, from five star luxury to self-catering apartments, but the vast majority is of three star standard. Most of the accommodation is built on either side of the main seafront road, some is on the seafront itself, but many of the newer hotels are on the hillside in areas such as Armutalan.
There are many water sports centres in Marmaris or at the coves, ready to assist you in surface or underwater sports adventures - including extreme sports. Akvaryum (Aquarium) Cove, Baca (Chimney) Sea Cave and reef area are the fascinating diving spots for domestic and foreign visitors. Nature and adventure sports such as rafting on Dalaman Stream, and trekking tours are organised by travel agencies. Jeep Safari is yet another alternative.
Some of the sites of ancient cities in the environs of Marmaris are as follows: Amos (Hisaronii-Turung), Bybassos (Hisaronii), Kastabos (Hisaronu), Syma (Bayir Village), Larymna (Bozburun), Thyssanos (Sogiit), Phoinix (Tashca), Loryma (Bozukkale), Kasara (Serge Harbour), Cedrai (Sedir Island), Euthena and Amnistos.(Karacasogut).
Içmeler
Içmeler is a popular resort with families. It is much greener than neighbouring Marmaris, with wide streets lined with threes and a relaxed ambiance. It nestles in the shelter of dramatic pine-clad mountains with a wide sweeping bay of coarse sand, where all kinds of water sports are available. The waters are shallow and calm making it relatively safe for children. There is an abundance of restaurants, serving a full range of Turkish and international cuisine, plenty of lively bars and lots of shops. For those who want serious nightlife, Marmaris is just a short dolmuş or taxi ride away.
Turunç
Turunç is reached by a steep, winding road, which snakes around the mountains from Içmeler, a sleepy resort, full of character. The accommodation here is mainly small family-run hotels, with some good self-catering properties. The main street has a good selection of restaurants with a few music bars, and enough shops to cater for your immediate holiday requirements.
Bozburun
Bozburun has a stunning setting and is also famous for pine, flower and thyme honey. Its isolated location and peaceful atmosphere has attracted people escaping city life, and is especially popular with Turkish tourists. There are buses from Marmaris, 50km away, which makes a pleasant day trip, and there are many interesting walks in the surrounding countryside.
Accommodation
Total bed capacity of Marmaris and its environs is over 100.000, and there are hotels and resorts fitting every holiday budget. Most of the hotels are concentrated in the centre, Armutalan and icmeler, and there are several accommodation options in Tuning. There are numerous small hotels and pensions in the coves that are respectful of the local natural beauty and habitat. For those who seek peace and quiet, small hotels in Selimiye, Orhaniye, Bozburun, and Hisaronii are advisable. For those who look for camping and caravan sites, we advise you to contact Orman (Forestry Department's) Camps well in advance.
Marmaris Activities
There are many water sports centres in Marmaris or at the coves, ready to assist you in surface or underwater sports adventures - including extreme sports! Akvaryum (Aquarium) Cove, Baca (Chimney) Sea Cave and reef area are the fascinating diving spots for domestic and foreign visitors. Nature and adventure sports such as rafting on Dalaman Stream, and trekking tours are organised by travel agencies. Jeep Safari is yet another alternative.
Beaches
Cennet Island
The peninsular island of Cennet, a 30 minute boat journey, is covered with forest and has accommodation and restaurants. It is a popular stop for cruise and tour boats throughout the season, as is suitable for swimming and eating.
Fosforlu Cavern
This natural cavern is a popular stopping point for the sailing tours going on to Turunc and Kumlubuk, offering clean, green waters ideal for swimming.
Mineral Spring
Famed for its drinking water which used to be considered good for the digestive system, the Sultaniye Kaplicalari thermal springs and mud baths lie 10km away from the province, close to Dalyan. It is a popular area, with beach and facilities for tourists, and can be reached via boat or road from Koycegiz or Dalyan.
Turunç
Once a tiny farming and fishing village, Turunç has developed since the late 1980s into an upmarket tourist resort, with hotels, villas and restaurants. The village, on the east coast of the Hisaronu peninsula, is 21km from Marmaris and accessible by road and sea. Its main attraction for Turkish and foreign tourists is its stunning location, and 500m beach of course sand with a backdrop of pine-tufted cliffs.
Kumlubük
The village, 6km by road from Turunç, is also accessible by boat from Marmaris to the large beach which is one of the best in the area. The water is clean, and there are good facilities nearby.
Çiftlik
The Çiftlik bay is accessible via a two hour boat journey from Içmeler. This once-isolated village and beach is now being developed for tourism, with a holiday village and hotels. It is especially favoured by sailors as a good spot for their yachts, and its course-grained sands and waterside restaurants are increasingly popular. The village has a small island within the bay, is also a favourite with jeep-faring safari tourists.
Turgut (Waterfall)
The 10-metre high waterfall is 35km from Marmaris and accessible from Turgut village via a 15-minute trek.
Bozburun
Best known and utilised for its yacht harbour, boat-building and repairs, the village of Bozburun has a stunning setting and is also famous for pine, flower and thyme honey. Its isolated location and peaceful atmosphere has attracted people escaping city life, and is especially popular with Turkish tourists. There are buses from Marmaris, 50km away, which makes a pleasant day trip, and there are many interesting walks in the surrounding countryside.
Although there are no proper beaches, it is possible to swim off the rocks. There is a revered 1000-year old tree, one of the oldest in the country. The village gets more crowded during the International Bozburun Gullet Festival, 26 - 28 October.
Günnücek
The Günlük Forest, with rarely seen species of plants, is 2km from Marmaris. Sigla oil, which is collected from the trees, is used in the pharmaceutical and perfume industry. The area is a natural promenade, with shallow waters.
Yalancı Strait
This land, which is 8 km. away from province, had gained its "Counterfeit Strait" name after a ship captain who supposed here the strait which goes to bay at a stormy weather, ground of his ship. You should absolutely see this region, where there are wooden built Gulet shipyards.
Climate
Its balmy Mediterranean climate makes the sea suitable for bathing even during the winter. The' high hills covered with pine forests surrounding the bay, the rare Sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) trees and broad leaved oriental plane trees (platanus orientalis) provide the green | backdrop of Marmaris.
Eating and Entertainment
Apart from the well known items of Turkish cuisine, the local speciality dish sura doldurmasi is very famous. Sura is mainly prepared on important occasions such as Kurban Bayrami (Festival of Sacrifice) or Hidrellez (Spring Festival), and it is an oven roasted half rib cage of lamb stuffed with a rice pilaf prepared with raisins and kernels of pine nut. The other local dishes are piringli bahk (fish sauteed with rice and vegetables), keskek (paste of boiled wheat mixed with well cooked and boned lamb or chicken), gmtar kavurmasi (saute mushrooms), koreme boregi (pastry filled with wild leaks), kistirma (baked aubergines with a lamb and rice filling) and gmtar kqftesi (meatballs with mushroom). The local herbs such as turp otu (wild radish leaves), , ebegumeci (mallow), semizotu (purslane) I are much loved, local deserts are katmer I (crisp flaky pastry), bestel (watermelon [jam) and balh kabak (roasted pumpkin chunks in a honey syrup).
When you return to your hotel the tiredness that come upon you after the vigorous exertions of touring on land or boat can best be overcome by joining the crowd in the Street of Bars, which is the heart of local nightlife. The entertainment reaches its peak after midnight and lasts until sunrise with live shows by domestic and foreign performers. Uzunyali Street, on the coastal road from Marmaris centre towards icmeler, is the alternative entertainment centre. Numerous small and large cafes, bars, restaurants, and discos offer various types of music, animation and shows.
You may also enjoy Moonlight Tours with the boats departing from yacht harbour towards midnight. If you wish you may enjoy a cool summer night's stroll along the longest street of Marmaris, Uzunyali Street. The pleasant atmosphere enriched with restaurants, stands selling gift items, discos, cafes, and bars lets you enjoy a remarkable summer night.
Shopping
The old town, with its narrow, awning shaded streets lined with shops and stands, has a colourful texture. The various types of needle lace, the much loved traditional local handicraft, are on sale at these shops and markets. Around the harbour and inside the fortress are many shops selling copper and wood decorative items and bric-a-brac, inexpensive jewellery, and locally produced clothing items. Large markets operate on Fridays at the site of old bus terminal, on Wednesdays at icmeler, and on Sundays at Beldibi. icmeler has daily street markets providing a range of items, from pieces of art to clothing. These markets provide local honey from pine forests, jams, hand woven carpets and rugs, spices and herbs, and many other ivillage products. Karacan Point Centre Solaris Shopping Centre, Tesco-Kipa and Netsel are the modern shopping centres of Marmaris.
